South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has unveiled his final squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin, Afrosport reports.
Broos, who led Bafana Bafana to a third-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations last year, has named many familiar faces in his final 23-man squad announced at a press conference on Thursday.
The 72-year-old has invited captain and African Goalkeeper of the Year Ronwen Williams and defenders Grant Kekana and Aubrey Modiba, who all play for South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
Teboho Mokoena also made the squad, as did Jayden Adams, who makes a return, having missed the 2025 AFCON qualifiers in October due to disciplinary issues, and forwards Relebohile Mofokeng and Lyle Foster.
Broos also recalled Percy Tau, with the Qatar-based forward returning to the side for the first time since June 2024.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has announced the squad to face Lesotho and Benin in FIFA World Cup qualifiers to be played on 21 and 25 March 2025, respectively.#BafanaPride@SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/4hITBlSvEo
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) March 13, 2025
Bafana Bafana will host the Crocodiles of Lesotho on Friday, 21 March at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, before heading to the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan to tackle the Cheetahs of Benin four days later.
South Africa sits second in Group C with seven points, same as leaders Rwanda and third-placed Benin, and Broos is eyeing maximum points in their two qualifying matches this month.
“I will not say that it will be a key point, but it can be if we can achieve six on six. I think we can make a big step to qualification, I am sure,” the Belgian said. “But we have to do it, so again these are very important games, very tough games, because don’t underestimate Lesotho, maybe not on quality but on mentality. It is a team that fights for 90 minutes for every meter and certainly when they play against South Africa, they will do one step more, I’m sure of it.
“Then we play Benin. We had difficulty against Benin one year ago when we played against them. We won 2-1 but it was a difficult game. The circumstances are different now, we made a lot of progression, but still, it will be a difficult game also.
“So, let’s hope we can achieve what we want, and we are able to do it. But again, in both games maybe the mentality will be more important than the quality.”
The South African Football Association (SAFA) revealed that Bafana Bafana players will meet up in Johannesburg on Monday, 17 March, before travelling to Polokwane, where they will camp until their matchday 5 fixture.
Full 23-man South Africa squad for 2026 World Cup qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Sydney Mobbie (SuperSport United).
Defenders: Grant Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabo Molloisane (Stellenbosch FC), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Fawaaz Basadien (Stellenbosch FC), Tebogo Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns).
Midfielders: Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Elias Mokwana (Esperance de Tunis).
Forwards: Lyle Foster (Burnley), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Percy Tau (Al Ahli, Qatar), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates).
